Demand for American Gold Eagle bullion coins eased for a second straight month in October, according to finalized sales figures from the United States Mint. October’s 50,000 ounces trailed behind September’s 91,000 ounces which followed the rush for gold in August at 112,000 ounces.
Last month’s pace was also the slowest in 2011, and much slower than October 2010 which had registered sales of 94,000 ounces. Against every October since the series started 25 years ago, the month ranked 14th highest. October 1986 remains the best at 692,000 total ounces.
United States Mint sales stats show 65,000 of the 22-karat investment-grade coins were delivered to its Authorized Purchasers last month. Of the four bullion Gold Eagle sizes, the one ounce, or $50 denomination, led with 46,000 coins. The next highest sellers were the tenth ounce ($5) with 10,000 and the quarter ounce ($10) with 6,000. In last place was the half ounce size ($25), with only 3,000.
12-Month American Gold Eagle Bullion Coin Sales
| Month | One ( oz. / # ) |
Half ( oz. / # ) |
Quarter ( oz. / # ) |
Tenth ( oz. / # ) |
Total ( oz. / # ) |
| October 2010 | 89,500 89,500 |
1,500 3,000 |
500 2,000 |
2,500 25,000 |
94,000 119,500 |
| November 2010 | 107,500 107,500 |
3,000 6,000 |
1,000 4,000 |
500 5,000 |
112,000 122,500 |
| December 2010 | 58,500 58,500 |
500 1,000 |
500 2,000 |
500 5,000 |
60,000 66,500 |
| January 2011 | 130,500 130,500 |
500 1,000 |
500 2,000 |
2,000 20,000 |
133,500 153,500 |
| February 2011 | 72,500 72,500 |
6,000 12,000 |
4,000 16,000 |
10,000 100,000 |
92,500 200,500 |
| March 2011 | 60,500 60,500 |
4,000 8,000 |
5,000 20,000 |
4,000 40,000 |
73,500 128,500 |
| April 2011 | 94,500 94,500 |
6,000 12,000 |
3,500 14,000 |
4,000 40,000 |
108,000 160,500 |
| May 2011 | 93,500 93,500 |
11,000 22,000 |
1,000 4,000 |
1,500 15,000 |
107,000 134,500 |
| June 2011 | 56,500 56,500 |
0 0 |
2,000 8,000 |
3,500 35,000 |
61,500 99,000 |
| July 2011 | 61,500 61,500 |
1,500 3,000 |
0 0 |
1,500 15,000 |
64,500 79,500 |
| August 2011 | 103,500 103,500 |
1,500 3,000 |
1,500 6,000 |
5,500 55,000 |
112,000 167,500 |
| September 2011 | 87,500 87,500 |
500 1,000 |
500 2,000 |
2,500 25,000 |
91,000 115,500 |
| October 2011 | 46,000 46,000 |
1,500 3,000 |
1,500 6,000 |
1,000 10,000 |
50,000 65,000 |
Year-to-date American Gold Eagle bullion coin sales stood at 893,500 ounces at the end of last month, slipping 155,000 ounces as compared to the same time period a year ago. Unless the situation changes significantly, it does not appear 2011 will reach the 1,220,500 ounces that sold in 2010.
The United States Mint has been selling American Gold Eagle coins since 1986 in both bullion and collector versions. Each are composed of .9167 fine gold and feature the same designs.
The obverse showcases Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ Liberty design that first appeared on the $20 Double Eagle between 1907 and 1933. The reverse features Miley Busiek’s eagle design of a male and female eagle and their eaglets. The bullion coins do not have a mint mark or a special finish like the collector versions have.
American Gold Buffalo and American Silver Eagle Bullion Coin Sales
In other bullion coin news, the United States Mint also reported 12,500 ounces of American Gold Buffalo bullion coins sold last month. That compared to 13,000 ounces in the previous month. Buffalo coins differ with their pure 24-karat, or .9999 fine gold, composition and western heritage designs. Their annual sales tally came to 145,000 by month’s end.
Combining the Buffalos and Eagles sales between January and October 2011, the Mint delivered 1,038,500 ounces of gold bullion.
As for American Eagle Silver bullion coin sales, demand for them has eased as well. 3,064,000 were ordered compared to 4,460,500 in September. Annual sales, however, broke the all-time highest record during the month when sales exceeded the record of 34,662,500 that was set in 2010.
Has there been any news lately when the palladium eagle coins will be coming out?